The 6-foot-5 do-it-all forward is foregoing his final year in Naascu for St. Clare to focus on his stint with the Manila Stars in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

Dionisio won two championships with the Saints in Naascu under the tutelage of Jinino Manansala before showing that he can play against the big boys in his stints with Victoria Sports and Gamboa Coffee in the PBA D-League.

Dionisio is reunited with head coach Phillip Cezar, his mentor when he was still playing in Philippine School of Business Administration. His long, lanky frame and his ability to affect the game on the defensive end makes him a good understudy for the PBA’s original ‘Tapal King.’

Ryan Costelo skipping final NCAA year with San Sebastian to take act to MPBLFrom: Reuben Terrado May 31, 2018, 08:38 pm

Ryan Costelo is skipping his final year in college nad taking his talents to the MPBL. Jerome AscanoRYAN Costelo has decided to take his act to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) instead of playing his final year with San Sebastian in the NCAA.

San Sebastian coach Egay Macaraya confirmed Costelo is no longer with the team, but said he gave his blessing for the playmaker's move to the MPBL.

Macaraya said it was also his suggestion to Costelo to play in the MPBL due to a pressing family matter.

Gaco suited up for Go for Gold when it made its conference debut in the 2018 Foundation Cup, taking the 88-75 victory over Batangas.

He will also play for the Imus Bandera in the 2018 Anta Datu Cup, which is set to open on June 12.

Despite being 37, Gaco showed that he can still hang with his younger counterparts, finishing with nine points and eight rebounds for the Scratchers on Monday.

And he wouldn’t deny that it was a statement game for him, especially after his contractual fracas in the MPBL.

Gaco has been practicing with MPBL newcomer Manila Stars for two weeks and has already had a verbal agreement with the team management before abruptly finding out that he was cut from the team just last Friday, three days before the deadline for the submission of final rosters.

Lucky for Gaco, Imus came knocking on his doors as coach Jerry Codiñera was quick to seal a deal with him.

Despite what is perceived as him having divided attention between two teams in two separate leagues, the popular ex-pro promised that his game will remain the same whatever jersey he’s wearing and wherever league he may be.

THE Mandaluyong El Tigre have vowed continuous support for guard Thomas Torres as he recovers from stab wounds he sustained in a parking lot brawl.

Torres alongside former La Salle teammates Jeron Teng and Norbert Torres figured in a melee in Bonifacio Global City early Sunday where they came under attack from a middle-aged man bearing a ring knife.

Torres suffered the worst wounds as he underwent a three-hour surgery which damaged his triceps on his right arm, putting his MPBL debut with El Tigre on hold for atleast four to six weeks.

The good news is that Torres is now out of harm's way and is now on the road to recovery.

"I was there in the hospital yesterday, I talked to him, talagang malalim yung sugat niya because pumasok yung kutsilyo sa right arm niya," said Cuan.

"The diagnosis of the doctor is okay na siya, however he will be out for four to six weeks," he added.

Torres is recovering quite well that Cuan expects the former La Salle starting guard to work on his conditioning while his wounds heal.

"Within that four to six weeks, habang pinapagaling niya, he can run, he can do bikes, so he'll be working with our conditioning coach," Cuan continued.

"He will do some running and conditioning habang pinapagaling. So by that time na maging ready siya after four weeks, hindi siya mawawala sa process," he added.

Torres is expected to play a huge role for El Tigre as he's set to lead their youth movement alongside two-time Asean Basketball League best local import Ray Parks and another former Green Archer in Prince Rivero.

The fact that the two-time Asean Basketball League MVP was born here to a Filipina mother and speaks Filipino fluently only bolster his case to be considered a local under the MPBL's controversial 'one Fil-foreign player per team' policy.

But he also recognized that the MPBL has the final call on the issue.

“At the end of the day, decision nila yun,” Parks said, adding that he believed his planned partnership with fellow Fil-Am and Alab teammate Lawrence Domingo at Mandaluyong led to the controversial decision.

“It’s their decision. Wala akong masasabi tungkol dun. For me, I’m just here to play, use this as a stepping stone.”

Parks bared he's done talking about the controversy, but will stick to an all-black outfit during his debut season in the regional league.

“This season I’m wearing all black. That’s it. I’m wearing all black,” said Parks without elaborating.

Regardless of the issue, the 6-4 standout out of National University remains excited to finally play in a local league, especially with the type of reception he received at the Mandaluyong City Hall in their team presentation on Monday.

“It’s always good to play here in the Philippines. They love their basketball, it’s the number one sport here. Just the reaction of the crowd this morning is great,” Parks said.

“It feels good to get the support of the people around the city that’s the main purpose of it, just to promote the local talent. It’s a privilege to represent Mandaluyong,” he added.

With a long season and the possibility of the ABL and the PBA seasons overlapping, Parks is bracing himself for what could be the busiest year of his career.

“Stay healthy. Stay on top of my game. Especially since this league is just a league for me to grow. Work on things, try and figure out what I need to bring to the next level,” Parks said.

“It’s gonna be tough, Alab starts soon, PBA draft is soon, it’s a long season. We have no idea what’s gonna happen… let’s cross the bridge when we get there.”

Bong Gallanza has beefed up the roster of Batangas in the next MPBL season. Jerome Ascano

BATANGAS City–Tanduay Athletics isn’t taking things lightly in the second conference of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), continuing to add vital pieces to its championship-winning core.

Head coach Mac Tan revealed on Monday that he added former University of the East gunner Bong Gallanza and a couple of veterans to add depth to a lineup bannered by Val Acuna, Lester Alvarez and Bong Quinto.

“I added ex-pro Bong Gallanza, a couple of players from the D-League in Sandy Cenal and Lucas Tagarda which will be part of my rotation. May nakuha rin ako from CEU, si Jason Opiso which will be a valuable player in our team,” said Tan.

Gallanza’s addition is timely for the inaugural MPBL champions considering that they’ll be losing Letran star Quinto for a couple of months to allow the bruising forward to focus on his final year with Letran in the NCAA.

Tan knows depth will be crucial for any squad as the league expanded to 26 teams from the original number of 10 in the first season, making for a much longer season.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot post attachments in this forum